Chad,
To add my 2 cents worth of thoughts, you could make the countertop as Bob explained (upside down, about 3" thick) then let it cure to nearly dry or dry. Then remove the light countertop from the form. As Janoahsh mentioned, the ease of cleaning and the actual cleanliness is important if the place is going to have inspectors nosing around. Why not leave the natural beauty of the papercrete shine through? Put a 2 part clear epoxy surface on there like they do on huge slabs of wood for bars? Thery are durable, smooth, clean easily, don't turn brown or yellow with age, can be applied by a less than competent person, can be sanded over and reapplied, its is hard, and won't stain. The best thing for someone serving customers is that the customers arms don't stick to it like on some counters/tables that never get really cleaned when wiped with cloth lightly 20 times a day.
Ron
To add my 2 cents worth of thoughts, you could make the countertop as Bob explained (upside down, about 3" thick) then let it cure to nearly dry or dry. Then remove the light countertop from the form. As Janoahsh mentioned, the ease of cleaning and the actual cleanliness is important if the place is going to have inspectors nosing around. Why not leave the natural beauty of the papercrete shine through? Put a 2 part clear epoxy surface on there like they do on huge slabs of wood for bars? Thery are durable, smooth, clean easily, don't turn brown or yellow with age, can be applied by a less than competent person, can be sanded over and reapplied, its is hard, and won't stain. The best thing for someone serving customers is that the customers arms don't stick to it like on some counters/tables that never get really cleaned when wiped with cloth lightly 20 times a day.
Ron
From: Chad <chfmac2@yahoo.com>
To: papercreters@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 6:07:43 PM
Subject: [papercreters] PC Countertops - Any ideas?
Hello all. I am in the process of opening a new restaurant in Raleigh, NC and we are trying to be as green in the up fit as possible. I really want to put a papercrete countertop in our bar and have the basic idea of how to get it done. My question(s): 1- How would I get a nice smooth finish (can I machanicaly polish it)? 2- What is the best way to seal the top from water/food/ect. (I was thinking about bees wax)? 3- What is a good solid thickness to make the bar (I was thinking about 3 inches)?
I know that each application has it's own little "gremlins" with it. So, experimentation is not completely out of the question. Any advise would be greatly welcom. Thanks
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